Travel Time Information System to Help Drivers Anticipate and Avoid delays During Waverley Underpass Construction

July 27, 2017

The City has launched a travel time information system to help drivers anticipate and avoid delays caused by train crossings and construction while the Waverley Underpass Project is underway. Travel time information will be relayed to drivers in real-time on an electronic message board on northbound Waverley Street in advance of McGillivray so motorists can consider alternate routes.

“This is precisely the type of innovative thinking we need to improve transportation efficiency,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “As a city, we need to continue researching and looking for innovative ways to improve transportation across our city by building better and smarter, as well as continuing to gather and provide timely information to commuters to improve efficiency.”

“Winnipeg is the first city to use this innovative system,” said Cam Ward, Waverley Underpass project manager. “We recognize there is a lot of construction happening in the area and we want to provide drivers with as much information as possible so they can make informed decisions about their routes.”

Construction of the Waverley Underpass is in full swing and as construction progresses, there will be phases of work that require lane closures and traffic restrictions in order to complete the work. In addition, delays caused by train traffic will continue to occur until the underpass opens to traffic.

A network of sensors will be used to detect the presence of trains and vehicular traffic, and predict travel times for northbound Waverley traffic from McGillivray Boulevard to Taylor Avenue. Detection of inbound train traffic will allow predictive algorithms to forecast rail-induced delays on Waverley Street before they occur. This travel time information will be relayed to drivers in real-time on an electronic message board installed northbound Waverley in advance of McGillivray. The system will remain in place for the duration of the Waverley Underpass Project.